Side Project

I have 2 apps published on AppStore, a relationship app called Happus and a multi-timer app called Timus and I don't know how to get more ratings and reviews to help my apps rank higher.

Do you have any advice on how to get more ratings the right way? Maybe you know the communities where people might find the apps useful? Please share, any advice is welcome.

And if by any chance you installed the apps and liked them, please leave a rating or/and a review. Thank you in advance

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Hey there, I'm Ismail El Kasmi, a 25-year-old programmer who dove headfirst into the coding world back in 2014. It's been quite a ride, and I'm excited to share a bit of my story with you.

Getting Started: Back in 2014, I discovered my love for programming. Little did I know that this passion would shape my entire career. Those early days set the stage for what has become an incredible journey.

Venturing into Web Entrepreneurship: Fast forward to 2020, and I decided to take a leap into web entrepreneurship. Armed with my coding skills, I jumped into the world of web business. The result? A successful Saas platform that I'm proud to say has been well-received for its functionality and user-friendly design.

Always Innovating: But I'm not one to rest on my laurels. Right now, I'm knee-deep in building a new Saas solution. I love the challenge, and it's all about staying ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Mentoring and Giving Back: It's not just about me, though. I'm passionate about helping others succeed. I spend time mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and founders, sharing insights, and watching them grow. Because in the end, success is sweeter when shared.

What's Next: As I keep pushing the boundaries of innovation, the future looks pretty exciting. My journey is a mix of perseverance, innovation, and a drive to make a positive impact on the tech community.

In a Nutshell: I'm Ismail El Kasmi, and my story is one of a young programmer turned Saas builder. It's about facing challenges, embracing innovation, and contributing to the collective success of the tech industry.

Hey SP,

I wanted to share my new project, Rest. The goal of this product is to simplify Creating, Managing, and Deploying an API to just a few clicks.

I like to call it "B.Y.O.D." which stands for Bring Your Own Data. :P

So far, we have received 100+ beta signups from users who are excited to use it first in beta. While in beta, we are offering the service for free while we iron out any issues.

For any developers looking for a more straightforward way to build and deploy APIs, sign up for our beta!

Feel free to contact me on Twitter if you want to discuss anything, or have some suggestions! https://twitter.com/rhysbeingsocial

The website can be found here: https://rest.so

My app is finally seeing the light. The journey was long and full of challenges, but here I am after six years. . I feel proud of myself, and I thought I would share my happiness with you guys.

After 6 years of development and +12 beta versions to produce 1 production version for iOS and Android phones and +70K testers for the whole journey

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It's called Mindboo.

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Mindboo is a free app that gives you different spaces to bring success and joy. These spaces will help users entertain themselves, build a healthy mind, and share moments and thoughts with their friends and the world.

There are four main spaces.

development space. It handles the development of the core skills the user's brain uses to think, read, learn, remember, reason, and pay attention.

entertainment space: a space for you to fill users free time with joy. Users can join real-time challenges or create them. They’ll also be able to meet new friends.

creativity space, a social network section where you can share content, creativity, and talents.

Explore space, where it connects users to the world.

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What do you think of the idea? Feedback?

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You can download it from the App Store or the Play Store.

Or use this link to redirect to your store.

https://www.mindboo.com

Hi everyone!

I just "finished" (the basic use case works) a little kitchen companion app I've been working on – Cupboard Cuisine. You input ingredients you have on hand, and it gives you some recipes using those ingredients. Those recipe ideas can be customized through the ai chat interface before generating a full recipe..

I'd love to get feedback on it as well as any suggestions you might have for getting some users. Thank you!

https://www.cupboardcuisine.ai/

Hi everyone!

Let's assume, I've got a successful file converter website that's gained a lot of traffic due to its simplicity and free service. I'm contemplating its future and would love your insights on two scenarios:

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1. Currently, there are no ads on the site (not even Google Adsense). Do you think the high traffic alone could make the site attractive to potential buyers?

2. If I incorporate some non-Google Adsense ads, enough to just cover operational costs (resulting in low income but maintaining high traffic), could the site's traffic still be a strong selling point to potential buyers?

I'm trying to understand how much value high traffic holds in the absence of significant ad revenue. Thanks for your thoughts!

Hey guys, I’ve been working on this for a couple of months and I think I’ve got enough of an MVP to show it.

I’m looking to leverage the power of Redditors to test it out and hopefully get some feedback or any criticisms I can about it.

Please give it a test run, I’d really appreciate it!

Thanks!

Budgeteer

Quick and simple. Had seen how often people don’t even know well established boilerplate projects on GitHub, so I made a small api wrapper, so that you and me can be up to date with the latest boilerplate projects:

https://www.buildstack.dev

Have fun and keep building!

All you do is give it your book in any ebook format and it’ll let you select a voice for each character it finds in it. So far I’ve gotten it to work on: Intel mac, linux,windows, and steam deck. For a 5+ hour audiobook (example being the first book in the guardians of Ga’Hoole series), Generating on cpu: 1050 min Generating on 3060 in Ubuntu natively:130 min Generating on windows with 3060: 250 min

You can even set the chapter deliminator which will choose the keyword it uses to detect when there’s a new chapter so the final files are chap1, chap2,… and so on.

The whole thing runs locally for free, been working on this project for quite a while so far, love to hear your thoughts!

So im an estimator for a landscaping company and made some calculators to help me give out more accurate and quicker estimates. After seeing a lot of landscaping youtube shorts i saw there might be a market for my calculators so i quickly made a template site and im in the process of transferring my calculators over. Any feedback would be wonderful especially for web design https://landscapingpricecalculator.com/

this year is almost ending. though I feel like my product could grow faster, looking back, I conquered lots of fears:

- launched alpha version of my product

- did my first ever Life time deal launch in a facebook group

- bootstrapped my product to revenue

I'm thankful people are supportive and give me, a small indie founder, some feedback and a couple minutes of their day to look at my product.

Trying to be as productive as I can to finish the year strong.

What about you?

Hey everyone! I am excited to share my online directory & community side project for craft breweries, breweriesnearby.com. Despite barely touching this project since launching in June 2023, this site has received 1.4 million impressions on Google and 20k organic visitors. The site's ranking on page 1 for “breweries {city}” keywords in cities like Toronto, Seattle, & Vancouver - sometimes even ahead of Yelp & Tripadvisor.

I built this for fun using no-code tools as a way of learning programmatic SEO. In case you don’t know, programmatic SEO is a method of generating 1000s of pages of website content from data in a database or spreadsheet. The oversimplified version of how this was built is the following:

• Scraped a public directory for breweries using Octoparse
• Structured the scraped data in an Airtable base
• Built a CMS site in Webflow with a matching CMS data structure to the Airtable base
• Synced data from Airtable to Webflow’s CMS through Whalesync

Other tools that have greatly helped with the site’s passive growth are Supersparks for creating a reviews community, and Finsweet Attributes for on page filtering of breweries.

Similar to what I did for Breweries Nearby, there is a trend of creators unbundling keyword niches from Yelp or Tripadvisor and then building directory sites with design, features, data, and content that better serves the niche. So if you are looking for a side project idea that can grow passively, there is a great opportunity here :).

I would love to hear any ideas or feedback you might have for improving / growing / monetizing this. Or if anyone wants to partner up, I am all ears! :)

For a more detailed explanation of how this was built, here and here are a few additional resources.

Can you share your stats about your side projects:

- how many users have registered?

- how many paid vs free users?

- traffic data

- etc.

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Hi all,

CryptoWulf is finally available to the public after we migrated to Microsoft Azure: https://cryptowulf.app/blog/migration-microsoft-azure/

We focus on hodlers who prioritize security and privacy and are hesitant to share exchange access or public keys.

Feature Overview:

• Popular Market Metrics like PI Cycle Top
• Portfolio Insights like Short and Long Term
• Import and Export your Transactions at any time
• Portfolios and Price Predictions can be shared with your followers or just your close friends
• Coin and Fiat Fees are also considered for profit

When it comes to privacy, we uphold the highest standards. Your data is Yours alone and is saved on Azure in North Europe. You can delete your data at any time and we dont want your blockchain addresses!

Upcoming features:

• Stalking Support
• Notifications
• Windows Client release (currenty under certification)

Download CryptoWulf for Android:

https://cryptowulf.app

Hey everyone!

A colleague of mine and I have started a newsletter aimed at people building their early-stage products - aiming to help with lessons and real-life examples on how to validate, build and scale from day 1.

Our main motivation behind starting this newsletter is to share our overall experience working with startups we have been doing so since 2016, and until now we have worked with startups from east and west and also worked as founding members of a Y-Combinator-backed startup (W21, Playmaker).

It's totally free, weekly based and we are trying to cover both our obstacles while doing so, but also cover products built by community members, their challenges etc.

If you want, drop us a follow (no spam, I promise) at www.thestartupduo.com

Hello everyone,

I finally solved a problem I had since trying to make first Open Graph image. And certainly since Twitter/X shut down their very own card validator.

Maybe it happened to you as well.

1. You created an OG image but wasn't sure how it will look like when posted on social media.

2. You posted a tweet and the image was cropped in some weird way ruining your announcement.

3. You fixed the image but nothing happened because it was already cached.

4. Panic and despair.

Well, today there is a better way. I created a free OpenGraph Preview tool that will create a dummy page with your OG tags linking to your images.

Here's the link https://imagebinary.com/tools/opengraph-preview

We are making AI read-it-later app that summarizes videos and articles and saves time.

We have already 203 people in waitlist. Our goal is to have 1000 people until the end of this year.

But how to achieve it in 1,5 months? Please give your advices how to grow people in waitlist, any life hacks, tips. I'll appreciate any of these.

If you want to see closely our app, here is our landing page: gosamurai.ai

Hello everyone!

Just over a month ago, fueled by a passion to solve a common online headache, we launched our micro-SaaS product DowntimeAlerts.io that monitors websites' uptime and informs the clients immediately when their sites experience downtime.

Initially, we had fewer than 10 subscribers, but our dedicated team focused on customer feedback and continuous improvement. We rolled out new features, such as detailed analytics, Slack integration, public status page, which significantly enhanced our product's value.

And guess what? This month we've crossed over 50 subscribers. Many of them joined us right before the Black Week sales. They're already sending us messages about how our tool is making their business lives easier during this hectic time. It feels awesome to know we're making a real difference!

If you're seeking a reliable tool to monitor your website's uptime and haven't checked us out yet, click here to learn more about us and see the difference for yourself.

What features would you love to see next in our tool? Drop your suggestions below!

Ever caught yourself saying, “Why are these products so expensive, and why do people seem happy to pay these prices?”

Let me get into this fascinating world and uncover some branding lessons that can transform how you view and manage your brand.

1. Less is More

Luxury brands teach us the power of exclusivity and scarcity.

They don't flood the market with endless products; instead, they focus on a limited range of high-quality items.

This approach not only preserves the brand's prestige but also ensures that each product is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and design.

It’s a reminder for us: in your business or personal brand, concentrate on your strengths.

Delivering a few, well-crafted services or products can be far more effective than offering a wide array that dilutes your brand's impact.

2. Create an Experience

It's not just about the product, it's about the entire experience.

From the moment you step into a luxury store, every aspect is designed to make you feel special and valued.

This lesson is universal.

Make your customers feel important, and they will not only buy from you but also become loyal advocates for your brand.

3. Consistency is Key

Luxury brands are synonymous with reliability and consistent quality.

They don’t frequently change their core values or aesthetics, which builds a strong, trustworthy image.

Apply this to your business: consistently good services or products foster trust and loyalty among your customers.

4. Tell a Story

Every luxury item has its own story – its origins, craftsmanship, the legacy of the brand.

This narrative adds depth and character, making the product more than just an item; it becomes a piece of history.

Similarly, for your brand, weave a compelling story.

Share your journey, your values, and your mission.

People connect with stories - give them one that resonates.

5. Attention to Detail

The meticulous stitching on a designer handbag or the flawless finish on a luxury car - these details matter.

They speak of quality and care. In your brand, focus on the small details.

They often make the biggest difference in how your brand is perceived and valued.

6. They're Not for Everyone

Luxury brands don’t try to please everyone; they know their target audience and cater specifically to them.

This principle of exclusivity creates a magnetic appeal.

Remember, trying to appeal to everyone often means connecting with no one. Find your niche and serve it well.

7. Customer is King, Always

These brands listen to their customers, value their feedback, and act on it.

They ensure that every customer feels valued and respected.

This golden standard of service is something every brand should aspire to. It's more than a transaction; it's about building a lasting relationship.

Conclusion

So, what’s the takeaway?

It's not just about the luxury or the price tag.

It’s about understanding the value behind these brands and the lessons they teach us. Apply these principles to your business, personal brand, or even your life.

Remember, quality stands out, stories matter, and true value is always remembered.

In the end, when you next look at a luxury brand, see beyond the price tag.

See the story, the lessons, and the dedication behind it. That’s real value. As a brand strategist, I post such regular deep dives in my weekly newsletter.

Introduction

I'm a frequent user of Google Chrome Extensions for productivity in my daily work and have always wanted to create one for the Chrome Web Store.

Background

Last week, I had some free time and decided to start this as a new and interesting side project.(Just a little background: I've been working online for 6 years as an e-commerce entrepreneur and digital marketer.)

The idea

I began by asking ChatGPT for ideas for simple, easy-to-create productivity extensions.

I already had a few ideas in mind, and when I saw one in ChatGPT's list, I decided to go for it: a Chrome extension that allows users to play binaural music for focus (similar to BrainFM) and/or combine ambiance sounds (like a coffee shop, water stream, ocean, rain, etc.) to create a customizable "working mood" for each user.ChatGPT also suggested including a timer for work sessions.

Development process

I knew many people use these types of sounds to focus, but it usually involves opening a YouTube video in the background, which isn't the best user experience.

The first step was creating a mock-up in Canvas to visualize the extension's layout, colors, features, etc. I used only emojis and symbols so it would be universally understandable, regardless of language.

Next came the coding part. I understand and can write some basic HTML and CSS, but not enough to do it myself.I thought ChatGPT might help if I provided instructions and my image mock-up, but it proved too complicated, and I quickly gave up.

Instead, I continued discussing with ChatGPT to craft a brief to send to a developer. We went back and forth; he asked about features, the logic of the extension, layout, colors, different sounds, and made some suggestions. In 2 hours, I had a perfect brief, written in markdown language.It described the extension and its goals in detail, with a well-organized structure and everything a developer would need (how to organize variables, hex codes for colors, the 'skeleton' of the extension with different files and folders, etc.).

Hiring a developer

I then needed to hire a freelance developer. Again, I used ChatGPT to write a job post based on the brief, and posted it on Upwork.

I received several applications and chose a Vietnamese developer with relevant experience and a reasonable fee of a few hundred dollars.The rate was low because he only needed to follow the brief and translate it into code, without having to think about structure, variables, technologies, etc.

Launch and reception

Once the contract started, he returned a few days later with a perfect extension!

There was no need for revisions or clarifications; there were no miscommunications or wasted time (and as we all know, time = money). I got exactly what I wanted. Even the developer was surprised by how comprehensive the brief was, asking if I was a developer myself.

I paid him and uploaded the extension to the Chrome Web Store. For the description, I used ChatGPT again to write it in English, French, Italian, Spanish, and German, based on the brief.

ProductHunt feature

Next, I needed users. I knew about ProductHunt as a platform to discover products, but not as a maker. I created an account, submitted my product (description written by ChatGPT of course), and waited for it to launch.

With zero expectations, I was surprised to start receiving upvotes, comments, and installs from the Google Web Store. People liked it!

I ended up being featured by ProductHunt, reaching around position #30 of the day. Although not in the top 3 or even top 20, to me it was significant for a small side project that I launched from scratch in just 1 week. I found it especially cool considering the strong competition that day, including big players with substantial marketing budgets, advanced products, and large, experienced product teams.

Moving forward

It's been two days since, and I'm still getting upvotes on ProductHunt and daily installs. I've received feedback about bugs, which I've corrected, and I'm considering how to grow it organically (through TikTok, Twitter, SEO, etc.).

There are no expectations, deadlines, or pressure: I enjoy playing with this project when I have time. It's also fun to share about it on Reddit.

And of course, I use the app daily, so it's definitely useful for someone.

Monetization strategy

The app is free, and I don't plan on adding paid plans, as that would be too complicated.

For monetization, there's a small 16:9 clickable image space currently displaying the app's logo, but it could be used for affiliate offers or rented to advertisers (only for products related to productivity so it fits the users). It's an easy code change, but I'll wait until I have at least 1,000 - 2,000 users.

Another option is to sell the app and recoup the development costs plus make a profit.

Conclusion + link to the extension

That's it! I hope you found this helpful and motivating for launching your projects!

If you're curious about the extension, it's called ABF (Audio Brain Focus) and is available here: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/abf-audio-brain-focus/ohlfpeiaekgemgbffdkahiljfemoifcl

If you have feedback, find bugs, or want new features added, please let me know! Maybe it will help you focus on building your next project. 🙂

P.S.: English isn't my first language, so apologies for any mistakes or unclear parts.

Hey Reddit,

Recently I decided to quit my second job and focus that time on my website that I started this February. I'm so happy with that decision since I am more motivated to work on my own business than freelancing.

Now I thought it would be fun to post sometimes on Reddit about how my business is doing. Mainly to get some of my questions answered by fellow entrepreneurs and help others by sharing my successes and failures.

Anyways, let's introduce my business first. I am a web developer with mainly experience building custom CMSs. That's why when thinking about a business to start, I quickly came up with the idea to create a blog. And the plan was not only to create a blog but a system allowing me to create multiple blogs around the same topic but for different niches in a simple way without setting up a whole new website every time.

After deciding this, after a while, I ended up in the travel market and decided to focus on covering certain regions for my website. Aside from that, after doing some research, I also found out that there are plenty of ways to monetize my website in the future for the travel niche. But for now, I decided to first focus on getting traffic to my website, seeing what content works and then, based on that start monetizing the working content first.

I first created a simple website, without any CMS and just a few articles, to see if ranking would be easy enough. After testing that for a while, I concluded that it's certainly possible to rank but that a CMS is necessary to push more content. I just noticed that manually adding every page in the code was too much work.

That's when I started thinking good about the next step. Ideally, I would want my own custom CMS, but considering there is only one website now, and I want to have the CMS available quickly, I decided to go for an existing one. But it still was a requirement for me to have CMS that is component-based and also feels nice to work in. After looking for quite some time, I eventually decided to use Storyblok, since it was pretty easy to use and supports most of the things I will want in the near future.

After fully converting the website to Storyblok, I couldn't be any happier with it. Ofcourse, I will still want a custom CMS in the future, but I think for now the focus should really be on growth first.

The current state of the website:

• 50 clicks in the last 28 days
• 8.000 impressions in the last 28 days
• 4 top 10 ranking keywords
• A total of 35 articles

Main focus until next update:

• Focus on improving the few articles that are starting to rank.
• Test out more ideas for articles to see if they work well.
• Create an author page so that I can add Article structured data to all posts.
• Work on creating a map component to use for every location on my website.
• Look for a potential co-founder so I can focus more on the development work and work less on the content.

I realize that the website statistics could be better, but I'm seeing much growth since I started working more on it, so I'm optimistic about this project.

Feel free to ask any questions, see you all in the next update!

Hi!

Im creating logo for my new side project called Manualify.It is going to be simple web app to create and share manuals as well as creating md files.I've created two samples of logo - which one suits you better?

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Logo no. 1

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Logo no. 2

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